In a decidedly milder criticism of Publix, a member from Moveon.com is targeting the company for its use of styrofoam, urging Publix to switch to recyclable
and sustainable packaging for all of its produce. Clean Plate Charlie contacted Maria Brous, director of media relations for Publix, who did not return a phone call. Other grocery chains such as Safeway also use styrofoam.

Criticism of Publix stretches back years. New Times featured a story on five people who died on the job at the Deerfield Publix in 2000. And in 1997, the company settled a class action suit in
regard to gender discrimination, paying 100,000 female employees over $81 million in damages and changing its workplace policy.